The person starting the case is called the plaintiff, and the person being sued is referred to as the defendant.

In most civil cases, the plaintiff is requesting a specific amount of money to be paid by the defendant.

The case must be filed in the jurisdiction in which it occurred.

If the dispute between the parties involves amounts of $5,500 or less, the parties can elect to file the case with the SMALL CLAIMS division.

Parties can not be represented by an attorney if a matter is filed in the small claims division.

If the dispute between the parties involves a claim of under $25,00, the District Court handles these GENERAL CIVIL matters.

The filing fees vary with the amount of the claim.

In a General Civil case both the plaintiff and defendant may be represented by an attorney.

The clerks of the court are not attorneys and thus are prohibited by law from providing legal advice. Their responsibilities include accepting your filing and the fee associated with each claim. They are not allowed to offer any assistance to you in completing and/or processing your paperwork.

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO LEGAL ADVICE MAY BE GIVEN TO YOU, BUT THE JUDGES OF THE COURT WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE FOLLOWING CONCERNING VENUE:

600.8415 Venue

Sec. 8415 (1) Except as provided

The clerks in subsections (3) and (4) in districts of the first class actions in the small claims division shall be filed in the county in which the cause of action arose or in the county in which the defendant is established or resides or is employed. If there is more than 1 defendant, actions shall be filed in the county in which any defendant is established or resides or is employed.

(2)Except as provided in subsection (3) and (4) in districts of the second or third class actions in the small claims division shall be filed in the district in which the cause of action arose or in the district in which the defendant is established or resides or is employed. If there is more than 1 defendant, actions shall be filed in the district in which any defendant is established or resides or is employed.

(3)In districts of the first class actions in the small claims division against a city, village, or township shall be filed in the county in which the city, village, or township is located. In districts of the first class actions in the small claims division against a county shall be filed in that county. In districts of the second or third class actions in the small claims division against a city, village, or township is located. In districts of the second or third class actions in the small claims division against a county shall be filed in the district in which the county seat of the county is located.

(4)In districts of the first class, actions in the small claims division against a local or intermediate school district shall be filed in the county in which the local or intermediate is located